o Leonardo da Vinci is the one who in 1508 sketches and describes several forms of contact lens.

o The first lenses actually manufactured were heavy glass lenses that covered the entire eye and only for few hours wear. o These were known as scleral lenses and were used to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. o In 1948 a Californian optician, Kevin Touhy began manufacturing the first contact lenses made entirely

of plastic.

Cont.
o George Butterfield an Oregon optometrist add flatter peripheral curves to the lens so it matched the shape of the cornea and would not pop off easily.

o Contact lenses was the production of the soft contact lens material in Czechoslovakia by Otto Witchterle and Drahoslav Lim.
o In 1961 using his sons erector set and parts from a bicycle Dr. Witchterle created the first spin-casting machine which later used in the production of the worlds first soft lenses.

Cont.
o Soft contact lenses were first introduced in the United States in 1971 by Bausch and Lomb. o More people began to use lenses and today we may say

that 90% of the contact lenses sold in United States are soft ones. o Contact lens industry was developing really fast in 1978 the first Toric soft contact lenses were manufactured for the correction of astigmatism. o The first silicone acrylate rigid gas permeable(RGP) lenses appeared and combine the hard lens capability to correct astigmatism with the gas permeable quality of soft lenses.

Cont.
o In 1981 the first contact lenses for overnight wear were introduced. o 1981-1984 Ciba Vision introduced two new types of contact lenses, bifocal soft contact lenses(Bi Soft) and tinted soft contact lenses(Soft Colors). o In 1987 a major development occurred with the introduction of disposable soft contact lenses (Acuvue by Vistakon),along with soft contact lenses to change eye color. o In 1990s two new types of lenses were introduced, daily wear & two-week replacement lenses.

Cont.
o The first disposable soft contact lenses with ultra-violet

light absorber were presented in U.S in 1996. o On 12,2001 FDA approved the manufacturing of some special contact lenses for extended wear and continuous wear up to 30 nights. o These lenses are made from a new, fluro-silicone hydrogel material that supplies 40% more oxygen than it was recognized by independent researchers for overnight wear of lenses. o A huge number of medical problems were solved over the past decades and people got used to wearing them as they offer many advantages over eyeglasses.

What are contact lenses?

o Are a small visual devices made up with curved pieces of

plastic shaped in a way to conform directly to the wearers eye. o They are used to correct vision problems like myopia and hypermetropia. o Contact lenses aid in eye focusing in same manner as spectacles do. o Contact lenses can also be used for cosmetic and therapeutic reasons. o Modifications and improvements to the original idea of contact lenses , conceptualized first by Leonardo da Vinci, through centuries. o About 35 million people in the U.S wear contact lenses today.

Features of Contact Lenses

o The lenses are made from different types of materials soft and rigid and come in a variety of designs and

colors. o Also include disposable, colored, astigmatic, aphakic, presbyopic and keratoconic lenses. o The initial fitting and follow up care are important parts of contact lens usage to give maximum benefits of vision, appearance, comfort and tissue integrity.

Advantages of Contact Lenses

o Contact lenses are capable of correcting most of the problems that spectacles can as well as some additional ones at glasses cannot. o People not satisfied with their appearance using glasses can to use contact lenses for improved appearance. o Contact lenses are not in the danger of slipping off, getting wet, or fogging up, which can easily happen with spectacles. o Those who have had cataracts removed, feel better wearing contact lenses as compared to spectacles. o Contact lenses give improved vision for people with damaged corneas due to diseases or injury.

Cont.
o For sportsmen, wearing contact lenses prove to be more

practical as in case of those where wearing spectacles pose a problem in their jobs. In addition to all these, contact lenses provide better side vision compared to glasses.

Uses of to Contact Lens

o The primary use of contact lenses is to correct short sightedness. They can also be used to rectify hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia and aphakia. o Rigid lenses are used to correct irregular corneal trauma. o Soft lenses are used as bandages for conditions like

bullous keratopathy, recurring corneal erosion as well as to increase comfort, vision and postoperative wound healing.

The Adverse Effects of Contact Lenses

oPeople have difficulty in using contact lenses if they have eye irritations due to allergies or dust and chemicals. oThe usage of contact lenses may give rise to problems like: Eye infections Damage to lenses Eyelid inflammation Corneal complications Contact lens conjunctivitis Giant papillary conjunctivitis Peripheral corneal conjunctivitis

o Never exchange lenses with another person o Never wear the lenses longer than prescribed. o Remove the lenses immediately if eyes becoming red or irritated. o Do not change the brand of the contact lenses before asking doctors opinion about it. o Check carefully the lenses after receiving and make sure they have the: Same brand Lens name Diameter Power- shere Cylinder, if any Axis, if any Base curve

Safety Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

Cont.
o Never sleep in contact lenses unless your practitioner approves it. o Protects lenses from lotions and creams.

How to Clean Contact Lens

o Wash and rinse your hand before you start cleaning contact lenses. o Remove only one of your contacts(right or left) and place tit in your palm. o Add 2 or 4 drops of cleaning solution to the surface of lens. o Rinse lens with multipurpose cleaning solution in the case of soft lenses with fresh tap water in case of hard lenses. o Repeat this procedure with the other lens too.

How to Insert Contact Lenses

o Always wash and rinse your hand before you take the

contact lenses in your hand. o Try to avoid inserting lenses near a sink. o Always insert your contact lenses in the same order and this way you will eliminate mix-ups. o Pour the lens and solution in which it is packaged into your palm and inspect for lenses particles or tears. o Place the lens with the cup side down on your forefinger. o Hold your upper eye or your eyelashes to avoid blinking. o Pull your bottom eyelid down using your middle finger. o Look up at the ceiling so that you can softly introduce it in the center of your eyes.

Where to Buy Contact Lenses?

When deciding where to purchase your contacts from, consider the following aspects: 1. Is my contacts lens prescription valid? 2. Evaluate a variety of sources, and dont automatically buy the cheapest. 4. Try to order your contact lenses from a supplier you are familiar with and know is reliable.

How to Read a Contact Lens Prescription?

Here are some of the symbols that you can find on a prescription: OD Right eye OS Left eye OU Both eyes BC Base Curve Dia Diameter Cyl Cylinder Axis

Can Children Wear Contact Lenses?

One of the problem that eye care professionals have to deal with is how to explain to parents that children can also wear contact lenses and that this will not harm their eyes. Contact lens wear is not an matter of age. After several studies that were made during the last few years practitioners agree that in order for child to able to wear contact lenses he or she should be at least tens years old. There are of course a few exceptions as well when the child is recommended to wear contact lenses because of an illness of the eye that cannot be treated with simple glasses. In these cases children are allowed to wear contact lenses after a very careful examination.

Types of Contact Lenses

o Soft contact lenses

o Hard contact lenses

o Disposable contact lenses o Extended wear contact lenses

o Bifocal contact lenses

o Contact lenses for astigmatism o Therapeutic contact lenses

Problems with Contact Lenses

1) Corneal ulcers o An ulcer occurs when the cornea surface is damaged and can occur with any kind of contact lens. o The symptoms of corneal ulcers are: Red eye Severe pain in some cases Tearing Discharge White spot on the cornea whose visibility with the naked eye depends on the severity of the ulcer Light sensitivity

2) Tight lens syndrome o Eyes dont produce enough tears to keep the lens saturated. o Hot, dry and windy conditions may cause moisture to evaporate from lenses. o May be wearing old lenses, which are now dry. o Lenses may have become less absorbent during storage. o The lenses could be too tight for eyes. o The symptoms of tight lens syndrome are: Discomfort Redness Poor vision with lenses

3) Allergies o Are a common problem among contact lens wearer. o Symptom of allergies are: Swelling of the eyes Redness Itching Tearing Mucous discharge Lens discomfort Sensation of foreign object in the eye

4) Cornea problems
o Are caused by a variety of injuries and diseases. o The symptoms tivityof cornea problems are: Pain Blurred vision Tearing Redness Extreme sensitivity to light Sensation of foreign object in the eye